Interlocking receptacles

ABSTRACT

A liquid receptacle system for storing and pouring a liquid, comprising a storage receptacle and a receiving receptacle. The storage receptacle is configured for storing the liquid therein and pouring the liquid therefrom. The storage receptacle has a first storage volume. The receiving receptacle has a second storage volume which is greater than the first storage volume. The receiving receptacle is configured for receiving the liquid poured from the storage receptacle. The receiving receptacle has a surface configured to cover the storage receptacle. The storage receptacle and the surface of the receiving receptacle have complementary interlocking features configured for preventing substantial spillage of the liquid stored in the storage receptacle.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a interlocking receptacles and, in particular, it concerns interlocking receptacles for storing and pouring liquids.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is an isometric view of a water receptacle system 10 that is constructed and operable in accordance the prior art. By way of introduction, water is often stored in an open storage receptacle 12, for example a jug or cup, close to ones bed at night for washing ones hands the next morning. This is a common requirement where someone wants to wash his or her hands immediately upon getting up in the morning, for example, as part of a religious practice. In the morning the water is poured from storage receptacle 12 over ones hands into a receiving receptacle 14 having a larger volume than storage receptacle 12. However, it is common for storage receptacle 12 to get accidentally knocked during the night, spilling the water therefrom. Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of water receptacle system 10 of FIG. 1 in a first storage configuration. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of water receptacle system 10 of FIG. 1 in a second storage configuration. Additionally, there is sometimes a need to keep the water covered at night by either placing receiving receptacle 14 in an upright orientation (FIG. 2) or in an inverted orientation (FIG. 3) on top of storage receptacle 12, for example, to prevent contamination by poisonous animals or for religious purposes. Therefore, receiving receptacle 14 is commonly used a lid for storage receptacle 12, making the likelihood of spilling the contents of storage receptacle 12 even greater.

There is therefore a need for a system to prevent the water stored in a storage receptacle from spilling at night as well as providing a lid for the storage receptacle. Additionally, there is a need to store water and other liquids for other reasons with a receiving receptacle, for example, but not limited to medical and industrial purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an interlocking liquid receptacle system and method of operation thereof.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a liquid receptacle system for storing and pouring liquid, comprising: (a) a first storage receptacle configured for storing the liquid therein and pouring liquid therefrom, the first storage receptacle having a first storage volume; and (b) a receiving receptacle having a second storage volume which is greater than the first storage volume; the receiving receptacle being configured for receiving the liquid poured from the first storage receptacle, the receiving receptacle having a surface configured to cover the first storage receptacle, the first storage receptacle and the surface of the receiving receptacle having a first set of complementary interlocking features configured for preventing substantial spillage of the liquid stored in the first storage receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a second storage receptacle configured for storing a second liquid therein and pouring therefrom into the receiving receptacle, the second storage receptacle having a third storage volume, a sum of the first storage volume and the third storage volume being less than the second storage volume, the second storage receptacle and the receiving receptacle having a second set of complementary interlocking features configured for preventing substantial spillage of the second liquid stored in the second storage receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the surface is an inner surface of the receiving receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the complementary interlocking features include a first screw thread disposed on the first storage receptacle and a second screw thread disposed on the receiving receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the first storage receptacle has a handle disposed thereon configured for convenient pouring of the liquid from the first storage receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the first storage receptacle has two handles disposed thereon configured for convenient pouring of the liquid from the first storage receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention: (a) the first storage volume is greater than half a liter; and (b) the receiving receptacle has an opening having a minimum dimension of at least 18 cm.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a method for storing and pouring a liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing the liquid into a storage receptacle; (b) interlocking the storage receptacle with a receiving receptacle in order to prevent substantial spillage of the liquid from the storage receptacle; (c) disconnecting the storage receptacle from the receiving receptacle; and (d) pouring the liquid from the storage receptacle into the receiving receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention: (a) the liquid is water; and (b) the step of pouring is performed by pouring the water from the storage receptacle over a hand into the receiving receptacle.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the step of interlocking is performed by screwing together the storage receptacle and the receiving receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a water receptacle system that is constructed and operable in accordance the prior art;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the water receptacle system of FIG. 1 in a first storage configuration;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the water receptacle system of FIG. 1 in a second storage configuration;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a water storage system that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the receiving receptacle of the water storage system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the storage receptacle and the receiving receptacle of FIG. 4 in an interlocked configuration; and

FIG. 8 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a system having two storage receptacles and one receiving receptacle that is constructed and operable in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a liquid storage system and method of operation thereof.

The principles and operation of a liquid storage system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 to 7 which are various views of a storage receptacle 104 and a receiving receptacle 102 a water storage system 100 that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of water storage system 100. FIG. 5 is a top view of receiving receptacle 102 of water storage system 100 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view showing storage receptacle 104 and receiving receptacle 102 of FIG. 4 in an interlocked configuration. Water storage system 100 is a system for storing and pouring water for washing hands. Water storage system 100 includes receiving receptacle 102 and storage receptacle 104.

Storage receptacle 104 is configured for storing water therein and pouring water therefrom over hands into receiving receptacle 102. Storage receptacle 104 has a storage volume generally between half a liter and 2 liters, preferably 1 liter. The storage volume is defined as the maximum volume of water that is storable in storage receptacle 104. Storage receptacle 104 is typically a hollow cylinder which is open at one end. Storage receptacle 104 typically has a height between 7 cm and 25 cm, preferably about 12 cm. Storage receptacle 104 typically has a diameter of between 7 cm and 20 cm, preferably about 12 cm. Storage receptacle 104 has two handles 106 disposed thereon configured for convenient pouring of water from storage receptacle 104. Storage receptacle 104 including handles 106 are typically integrally formed from molded plastic. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that storage receptacle 104 may be formed from metal, china or other suitable materials.

Receiving receptacle 102 is configured for receiving water poured over the hands from storage receptacle 104. Receiving receptacle 102 has a storage volume defined as the maximum volume of water that is storable in receiving receptacle 102. The storage volume of receiving receptacle 102 is greater than the storage volume of storage receptacle 104. The storage volume of receiving receptacle 102 is typically between 2 liters and 8 liters. Receiving receptacle 102 has an opening 110 having a typically diameter (being the minimum dimension of opening 110) of between 18 cm and 40 cm, preferably 30 cm. Receiving receptacle 102 typically has a height of between 10 cm and 25 cm, preferably 13 cm. It should be noted that generally the height of receiving receptacle 102 is greater than the height of storage receptacle 104. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the height of storage receptacle 104 can be greater than the height of receiving receptacle 102. Receiving receptacle 102 has an inside base surface 108 which is configured to cover storage receptacle 104 while water is being stored in storage receptacle 104. Inside base surface 108 is held against the rim of storage receptacle 104 by complementary interlocking features 112, as will be described in more detail below. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that complementary interlocking features 112 may be disposed on any other surface of receiving receptacle 102 including the outside base surface of receiving receptacle 102. Receiving receptacle 102 is typically formed from molded plastic. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that receiving receptacle 102 may be formed from metal or china or another suitable material.

Storage receptacle 104 and inside base surface 108 of receiving receptacle 102 have complementary interlocking features 112 configured for: (i) retaining inside base surface 108 against the rim of storage receptacle 104 in order to cover storage receptacle 104; and (ii) preventing substantial spillage of water stored in storage receptacle 104. Complementary interlocking features 112 are typically configured to prevent spillage of any of the water stored in storage receptacle 104. However, the term “preventing substantial spillage” is defined herein as preventing a possible loss of water greater than half the water storage volume in one day. Complementary interlocking features 112 include a screw thread 114 disposed on the outside of storage receptacle 104 close to the rim of storage receptacle 104 and a screw thread 116 disposed on receiving receptacle 102. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that screw thread 114 may be disposed on the inside surface of storage receptacle 104 close to the rim of storage receptacle 104 and screw thread 116 may be configured to engage screw thread 114 as required. Screw thread 114 and screw thread 116 are configured such that screw thread 114 of storage receptacle 104 is screwed onto screw thread 116 of inside base surface 108 of receiving receptacle 102. Screw thread 114 and screw thread 116 are typically formed from molded plastic. Screw thread 114 is typically integrally formed with storage receptacle 104 and screw thread 116 is typically integrally formed with receiving receptacle 102. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that screw thread 114 and screw thread 116 may be formed from other materials such as metal. Additionally, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that screw thread 114 and screw thread 116 may be formed as separate elements from storage receptacle 104 and receiving receptacle 102, respectively. Screw thread 114 and screw thread 116 are then mechanically connected to storage receptacle 104 and receiving receptacle 102, respectively, using suitable connection techniques. When screw thread 114 and screw thread 116 and receiving receptacle 102 and storage receptacle 104 are formed from plastic no additional water seal is generally needed to prevent spillage of water from storage receptacle 104. However, if all the elements of water storage system 100 are not formed from plastic, an additional rubber seal (not shown) either disposed on the rim of storage receptacle 104 or around screw thread 116 on inside base surface 108 may be required to provide additional anti-spill protection. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that complementary interlocking features 112 may be implemented in a variety of ways, for example, but not limited to, having a rubber lined groove disposed on/in inside base surface 108 into which the top rim of storage receptacle 104 makes a pressure fit.

Water storage system 100 is generally used as follows. First, typically in the evening, water is disposed in storage receptacle 104. Storage receptacle 104 is then interlocked with receiving receptacle 102 by screwing together storage receptacle 104 and receiving receptacle 102. In the morning, storage receptacle 104 is unscrewed from receiving receptacle 102, thereby disconnecting receiving receptacle 102 and storage receptacle 104. Then, water is poured from storage receptacle 104 over the hands into receiving receptacle 102.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that storage system 100 may be used for storage and receiving of other liquids, for example, but not limited to liquids for medical purposes. For example, storage system 100 may form part of a first aid kit, wherein a disinfecting liquid may be stored in storage receptacle 104 for later pouring into receiving receptacle 102 for disinfecting a hand or an instrument.

FIG. 8 is an axial cross-sectional view showing a system 118 having two storage receptacles 120 and a receiving receptacle 122 that is constructed and operable in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. System 118 is the same as water storage system 100 except that system 118 has two or more storage receptacles 120. The combined storage volume of storage receptacles 120 is less than the storage volume of receiving receptacle 122. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the dimensions and design of storage receptacles 120 and receiving receptacle 122 depends on the intended use of system 118. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that storage receptacles 120 can store the same liquid or different liquids. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that system 118 may be used for medical or other purposes, for example, but not limited to, (i) a disposal travel wash kit including detergents stored in storage receptacles 120 and receiving receptacle 122 being used as a washing basin, (ii) a home hair coloring kit including dyes stored in storage receptacles 120 and receiving receptacle 122 being used as a mixing bowl and (iii) a cake kit including cake ingredients stored in storage receptacles 120 and receiving receptacle 122 being used as a mixing bowl.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. 

1. A liquid receptacle system for storing and pouring liquid, comprising: (a) a first storage receptacle configured for storing the liquid therein and pouring liquid therefrom, said first storage receptacle having a first storage volume; and (b) a receiving receptacle having a second storage volume which is greater than said first storage volume; said receiving receptacle being configured for receiving said liquid poured from said first storage receptacle, said receiving receptacle having a surface configured to cover said first storage receptacle, said first storage receptacle and said surface of said receiving receptacle having a first set of complementary interlocking features configured for preventing substantial spillage of said liquid stored in said first storage receptacle.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second storage receptacle configured for storing a second liquid therein and pouring therefrom into said receiving receptacle, said second storage receptacle having a third storage volume, a sum of said first storage volume and said third storage volume being less than said second storage volume, said second storage receptacle and said receiving receptacle having a second set of complementary interlocking features configured for preventing substantial spillage of said second liquid stored in said second storage receptacle.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said surface is an inner surface of said receiving receptacle.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said complementary interlocking features include a first screw thread disposed on said first storage receptacle and a second screw thread disposed on said receiving receptacle.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first storage receptacle has a handle disposed thereon configured for convenient pouring of said liquid from said first storage receptacle.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first storage receptacle has two handles disposed thereon configured for convenient pouring of said liquid from said first storage receptacle.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: (a) said first storage volume is greater than half a liter; and (b) said receiving receptacle has an opening having a minimum dimension of at least 18 cm.
 8. A method for storing and pouring a liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing the liquid into a storage receptacle; (b) interlocking said storage receptacle with a receiving receptacle in order to prevent substantial spillage of the liquid from said storage receptacle; (c) disconnecting said storage receptacle from said receiving receptacle; and (d) pouring the liquid from said storage receptacle into said receiving receptacle.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: (a) said liquid is water; and (b) said step of pouring is performed by pouring the water from said storage receptacle over a hand into said receiving receptacle.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of interlocking is performed by screwing together said storage receptacle and said receiving receptacle. 